SCRIBLERUS Meaning and
Definition
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Scriblerus refers to a term that has two distinct meanings, one pertaining to a literary club and the other to a satirical character. In the first sense, Scriblerus refers to a literary club consisting of a group of writers in early 18th-century England. Founded by Jonathan Swift, Alexander Pope, and John Gay, among others, this club aimed to ridicule and satirize what they perceived as bad and trivial literature of their time. The Scriblerus members, through their works, sought to uphold high literary standards and classicism, mocking and parodying contemporary texts that they deemed inferior.
In its second sense, Scriblerus is a character that represents the absurd and pretentious writer or poet. Originally appearing in Alexander Pope's mock-heroic poem "The Dunciad," Scriblerus embodies a figure who is pompous, inept, and devoid of genuine talent. The name "Scriblerus" is derived from the Latin word "scribla," meaning a scribbler or an incompetent writer. This satirical character is often characterized by exaggerated poetic aspirations, grandiose language, and a lack of self-awareness regarding their incompetence.
Overall, Scriblerus is employed both as a group name to define a literary club focused on literary criticism and parody, and as an individual character emblematic of the laughable and farcical qualities of bad writers. This terms evokes the concepts of ridicule, satire, and literary criticism, showcasing the desire of the Scriblerus club to challenge and rebuke the uninspired literary works prevalent during their time.
Etymology of SCRIBLERUS
The word "scriblerus" derives from the Latin term "scriblerus", which is the diminutive form of the word "scriba", meaning "writer" or "scribe". "Scriba" itself is derived from the verb "scribere", meaning "to write". The term "scriblerus" was later adopted in English to refer to a writer of insignificant or poor-quality works, often used in a derogatory sense. It became particularly associated with the literary satirist Alexander Pope and his group known as the "Scriblerus Club" in the early 18th century.
